Holi is an important festival to Hindus. It is celebrated at the end of the winter season on the last full moon day of the lunar month. Also know as the Festival of Colors or the Festival of Love, it is an ancient religious ceremony which has become popular around the world. I would love one day to take a trip and explore where this first originated, but in the meantime I thought I'd travel to Brooklyn to participate in this carnival of color that was so close to home.
Attendants play, chase and color each other with dry powder. I wanted to experience this first hand, so off I went to the Holi NYC Festival this past Saturday. I set out to make portraits along with documenting the event. For the head shots I cropped them square as this seemed to work best. For the scenes, I needed to be more flexible as the square format didn’t really tell the complete story.
To me, each persons face became an abstract canvas. It was intoxicating and so much fun to photograph.
Back To Color
I wanted photograph people at different angles to show off the colors in an interesting way.
Spy Color
These 2 guys looked almost like mannequins, even in person... or international spy's, your choice.
Green Day
Red Head
What caught my attention was the fact that this fellow only had red pigment on his head. I am sure that didn't last for long.
Joy Intoxicate
Human Color Abstract
Lime & Magenta
Looking For Color
The overcast day was the perfect backdrop as it really made the color portraits stand out against the grey sky.
Yellow Color Splash
Cornstarch Pigments
Aqua Cloud
Blue In The Face
Blue Bus Blue Girl
I think this turned out to be my favorite photo. I was attracted to the blue bus with the girl who's face was in the same blue color... and the bus was named blue too!
The festival signifies victory of good over evil, the arrival of spring, end of winter, and for many a festive day to meet others, play and laugh, forget and forgive, and repair ruptured relationships... plus a whole lot of colorful fun.
Susan Marie